rear suspension setup

[Frank]

After having a few chats with different people ,Im vfed up with blank looks.
When riding solo the front end always seem too light,but when 2 up it feels planted and solid.Is it possible by adjusting the back shock to try and get the same or at least similar result.
Two up the back of the bike is pushed down and therefore stiffer.
So ,my question is,should I go up a notch or two ,or go down.
Going up ,I believe would tighten the spring and give the same result as having a pillion,or would going down soften the spring and allow it to compress more like when 2 up.
I know it is a probably a stupid question ,but ideas would be good

[skidmarx]

I'm sure you've checked but maybe the front tyre pressure is too high? Also I think that 2 up may compress the rear more giving you a less steep rake angle at the front, think that's the right term. I always find the front feels lighter with a pillion.

[Frank]

I'm sure you've checked but maybe the front tyre pressure is too high? Also I think that 2 up may compress the rear more giving you a less steep rake angle at the front, think that's the right term. I always find the front feels lighter with a pillion.
pressures are spot on.
but as you said ,a pillion may change the rake angle.So to try and get a similar effect solo ,should I go up on the rear spring or down.
I think the answer is that simple I cant see it:confused:

[thefallenangel]

trial and error?

[Frank]

keep fiddling with it ,just thought a bit of feed back might be good

[steve.w]

I Also find the sv to have a better planted fell 2 up. I have tried altering the rear but imo the only thing that alters is the ride height not the feel. Maybe better shock is the real answer :confused:

[thefallenangel]

Gid your shock is 6 years old and no doubt covered a few miles which is probably more of an issue.

[Frank]

12000 miles
and its a superior bandit shock lol

[Sid Squid]

In this circumstance the first option would be to raise the rear preload, so as to regain the attitude that the machine sits in when riding solo, this will likely improve matters. The great majority of the rider and passenger weight is applied to the rear suspension - leave the front alone initially.
Things to know:
1. Altering the preload does not change the suspension in any material way, all that will be different is that the rear of the bike will sit higher, (ideally back where you like it when you're solo), it will not be harder, and any given bump will have greater effect on the suspension when two-up,
2. If you and your pillion are larger people then the rear spring may not be suitable wherever you set the preload.
3. Although it can be tempting to want to set the suspension to suit extreme circumstances, such as a big bump when two-up, I'd advise against it as the bike will now be awful on smaller bumps one-up.

Which leads directly into:

4. All suspension settings are a compromise, think about it; any given bump puts a given amount of energy into the suspension system, hitting a similar the bump at twice the speed puts consequently more energy into the suspension. A setting suiting one circumstance will not suit the other.

[ThEGr33k]

Start with sag imo. You know about that Gid?

[Briddo]

As someone else said - how much sag do you have on the rear shock as too much could make the front end lighter as the "back end" of the bike could be below the settings of the forks.
I have 15mm of sag on my shock - 'cos I like it like that, but I did have to drop the yolks down the forks to balance out the bike - I don't have the factory suspension though my suspension has been "Maxtonized" by Maxton Engineering.

Jan